Austin Lonestar Round Up - Lucky No 7

People often comment on the growth of events, saying they can't believe how they've developed so large so quickly. I too have made such comments. Take, for instance, the Lonestar Round Up-Austin, Texas's unique, multifaceted hot rod happening. Now in its seventh year, the show has evolved from its grassroots infancy into a full-fledged respectable event, attracting people from across the U.S. and beyond. But as amazing as the rapid growth may seem-from a tight-knit gathering of like-minded folk to an almost cult following-seven years is a bit more than just an overnight period of time. I guess when something happens only once a year, the months in between don't always equate as they should. Two weeks out of the past seven years really doesn't seem like a whole lot...but then again, we're not the ones planning, promoting, and staging the Round Up. That would be The Kontinentals, the Austin club responsible for the continued success of the event.

Having missed the previous three Round Ups, it goes without saying that I was highly anticipating my return to the Lone Star State-but for more reasons than just the Round Up, suffice it to say. To be more precise, it's the city of Austin that I really looked forward to visiting, as it's on the top of my list of places to live. But as everyone knows, a lot can happen in the span of three years-and let me tell you, that three years has not only had a huge effect on the city of Austin, but the Round Up as well.

Yes indeed, the Lonestar Round Up has grown so much that it's probably best to say it's officially an acclaimed event, not only getting worldwide recognition, but also worldwide attendance, which has resulted in yet another venue (I believe it's been held at a different location each time I've been, and of course increased participation being the reason for each move). While the quaintness of the first few shows held a certain charm, there's really no arguing against growth for most intents and purposes-at least to a certain extent. And speaking of expanding, it seems the host city itself has seen quite the rise in development over the course of the last couple of years.

Today, South Austin has an almost Melrose Avenue feel to it-which seems to garner mixed feelings from members of the community as well as visitors like myself. A walk up or down South Congress Avenue, the Round Up's main drag for cruising as well as after-hours activities (namely at the unofficial headquarters, The Continental Club), is a bit more involved than it used to be. Along with added watering holes, retail stores, and whatnot, there's much more to attract folk to the area than ever before. Ironically, the same can pretty much be said for the Round Up!

With a ton of vendors now exhibiting as well as a substantial increase in participants, the obligatory rise in attendance is only natural. To say the original charm of the Round Up is gone would be going a bit far. The charismatic character is still there, and most if not everyone still comes each year for the same reason...it's a great show held in a great city. Growth, expansion, commercial success, and all that jazz aside, if you like to eat some of the best barbecue on the planet, like to listen to good country, blues, and rockabilly music, and best of all, don't mind being amongst more like-minded people than you might imagine, the Round Up's got your name written all over it.

To learn more about past, present, and future Lonestar Round Ups, wander over to www.lonestarroundup.com and have yourself a gander.